It seems what we all want for the New Year is for things to be better. Better health, better job, better weather, better garden, better behaved kids, better behaved pets, better behaved spouse, better behaved self…..you name it, we want it to be better.

And it seems, that what keeps us going, is the faith, the hope, and the belief that things can get better.

This past Christmas Day was hard for me for various reasons. I was discouraged so I decided to take a walk. On that walk I passed a store that was open. I don’t normally go into stores (I dislike shopping) and it just seemed weird to go into a store on Christmas Day, but there was a friendly, beckoning air to this particular store so I went in.

The store seemed full of love and good cheer. A woman (who turned out to be the store owner) came over to see if I needed any assistance. As we began to talk, she sensed that I needed encouragement. She promptly encouraged me, prayed with me, hugged me and gave me the Believe ornament you see here.

Yes, the New Year will be better. How can we possibly have a bad year (or even a bad day) when God is right there for us? He sees our tears, our pain and our struggles. And when we are hurting He sends someone along to help us. In my case he sent Anita, who will forever be my Christmas Angel.

God is there for you too. He wants to love you and help you. He wants to encourage you, support you and guide you. He wants to be with you for every moment of 2014; and every moment in every year thereafter. Believe it; it’s true. (Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 30:18)

My Child, you need to know that with Me all things are possible. Consider some of the “impossibilities” that were possible for Me:

I parted a sea so My people could walk through on dry land and then closed the same sea on their enemies. (Exodus 14:13-31)

Sarah bore a son even though she and her husband Abraham were well past the childbearing age. (Genesis 18:10-15, 21:1-7 )

Elizabeth bore a son even though she and her husband were also advanced in years. (Luke 1:11-25, 1:57-58 )

Mary became pregnant even though she had never had sexual relations with a man. ( Luke 1:26-38 )

Caesar Augustus called for a census so Jesus would be born in Bethlehem as was prophesied. (Micah 5:2 Luke 2:1-7 )

Is anything to hard for Me? No. Is anything that you are facing in your life too hard for Me? No. It may look impossible to you but it is not impossible for Me.

Please remember that things happen at My appointed time, which may be very different from what you desire. And what I bring about usually happens in unexpected ways. But you see, I delight in the unexpected and unusual, for this brings those who are curious and those who are seeking to Me.

Think about it, would you choose an eighty year old man to deliver a nation from bondage? Probably not, but I did. (Exodus 3:7-12) Whom would you choose to mother the King of the entire universe? A royal queen living in a palace? I chose a poor teenage girl and the baby was born in a stable. (Luke 2:6-7)

You see, My ways are not like your ways, nor is My timing exactly like yours either. (Isaiah 55:8) But, I am always working and always involved in the affairs of men.

Be encouraged, My Child, I am keenly aware of what you are facing and what you are hoping for. In My timing and in My rather unorthodox way I will act. Remember, nothing is impossible with Me! And if you don’t receive what you hope for it because My plan is greater and better than yours (Isaiah 55:9) and someday, maybe not in this world, but someday, you will understand. And then you will be glad. (Revelation 21:1-4)